IT Staffing, Recruiting & Hiring News

When you head into an interview, your goal is typically to make a great impression on the hiring manager. While many developers are well-intentioned when they share information, saying certain things during the meeting can cost you valuable opportunities. With that in mind, here are five things you should never say during an interview, even if the statements are true.

I Don’t Like…

During a meeting with a hiring manager, you should never say that there is a language, framework, or library you don’t like. While your intention may be to be honest about your preferences, you end up coming off as inflexible or that you may be unwilling to deviate from your usual routine or learn new technologies.

Additionally, in the eyes of the hiring manager, it automatically limits your potential and, subsequently, your value. They may fear that you wouldn’t be able or willing to take certain projects on, making you a less than ideal choice.

At My Last/Current Job, the Problem Was/Is…

Regardless of how your team or manager at your current or last job performed, bad-mouthing them during an interview is never a smart move. Even if what you are saying is true, you risk coming off as an ineffective collaborator and as a person with a poor attitude.

After Starting in This Role, I Want to Move Forward to…

Having ambition is rarely a bad thing. However, if you express a goal that is beyond the role that you are interviewing for and suggest that you want to get there fast, the hiring manager may consider this a red flag.

Ultimately, the hiring manager is concerned about filling a specific role, not the one above it. Even if you want to have opportunities to move forward, making it sound like it is a requirement or expectation that you be given a specific kind of project that is above that position, it suggests you aren’t ideal for the company’s current needs.

I Would Estimate That Amount to Be Around…

If you are faced with a question involving numbers, hedging your response isn’t a good choice. Phrases like “around,” “approximately,” or “about” suggest that you don’t know the right answer, which doesn’t make a positive impression if they are figures that you should be familiar with and work with consistently.

Unless the hiring manager requests an approximation, be specific with your numbers. Otherwise, you might not come off as competent as you actually are, and that can hurt your chances of landing the job.

I Don’t Know.

When you are asked a question and legitimately don’t know the answer, never end your response with “I don’t know.” Instead, make sure to add that you’ll find out or give the hiring manager a description of the actions you would take to get the answer.

Hiring managers don’t expect you to know everything. However, if you don’t follow up your “I don’t know” with something that shows you are willing to learn more and find the answer, they may doubt your commitment to doing what it takes to excel.

Want More Tips on How to Ace Your Job Interview?

Ultimately, it’s best to avoid all of the statements above during your developer interview, especially if you want to be seen as a top candidate for the role. If you’d like to know more about successful interviewing, the professionals at The Armada Group can help. Contact us to discuss your questions with one of our team members today and see how our interviewing expertise can benefit you.